EMC Test Technician IV

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 91,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plans

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA seeks an EMC Engineer to lead complex EMC testing across multiple labs, applying advanced judgment to test methodology and data interpretation.

You will manage lab facilities, calibrate equipment, and support RF measurements on a variety of antennas, with a focus on safety, accuracy, and engineering collaboration.

Qualifications

• Experience in EMC Testing and independent tests per MIL-STD 461C/462.
• Experience using Tile! EMC software to create/run test profiles.
• Proficiency with spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, and network analyzers.
• Flight hardware handling, electrostatic discharge (ESD) awareness.

Responsibilities

• Lead EMC testing across multiple facilities and ensure compliance with safety and performance standards.
• Read and set up EMC tests, run tests with Tile! software, and interpret results for engineering decisions.
• Process data during and after tests, verify and document data, and submit to EMC Engineer/customers.
• Lab management and maintenance, calibrate equipment, organize space, and manage inventory.
• Perform system checks of RF components across labs testing various antennas.

Skills

EMC Testing

Tile! software

RF measurement techniques

Lab management

Education

High School Diploma

Associate’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Rohde & Schwarz ESU

Keysight UXA

Keysight PXA

Tektronix Oscilloscopes

Tile! EMC software

Job description

Job Details New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

This unique opportunity is part of the Manufacturing, Packaging, and Test Section that engages in research, technology development, and the creation of advanced mechanical, thermal, propulsion, and electronic packaging systems. This work requires expert-level technical capability spanning the full breadth of mechanical disciplines, applied from architectural concept development through operations.

You

will lead and perform complex and unique technical functions across multiple EMC laboratory facilities, ensuring operations meet stringent technical, safety, and performance standards. You will serve as a subject matter expert supporting EMC engineering, executing high-complexity EMC testing on flight hardware and R&TD assignments with minimal supervision and broad scope. You will also apply advanced judgment to laboratory processes, facility operations, and test methodology.

This is an on-site position.

Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Performing EMC testing, including Radiated Emissions, Radiated Susceptibility, Conducted Emissions, and Conducted Susceptibility per MIL-STD-461C/462, MIL-STD-461F/G, as well as JPL unique EMC tests including DC magnetics traceability and power quality testing. Aligned to Level 4: Executed independently with expert-level proficiency, including determining methods, applying advanced test principles, and providing validated data for engineering decisions.
• Reading and understanding EMC test procedures, independently setting-up EMC tests, performing EMC tests using Tile! software, and understanding and interpreting EMC test results. Aligned to Level 4: Performs these tasks as an expert practitioner; provides recommendations to engineers on configurations, test approaches, and interpretation of complex data.
• Performing data processing during and after a test: verifying, reviewing and documenting all pertinent data. Finalizing data and sending to EMC Engineer/customer. Aligned to Level 4: Analyzes complex and unique data sets, ensures accuracy, and provides validated outputs for engineering reporting and decision-making.
• Lab Management and Maintenance. Keeping all EMC lab facilities in clean working order, ensuring lab equipment is calibrated and maintained, ability to organize lab space and manage lab inventory and supplies. Aligned to Level 4: Acts as a technical lead for laboratory operations, ensures facilities meet occupational and system safety requirements, and provides expert input for major facility modifications.
• Performing regular system checks of all RF components across 4 labs testing antennas such as Monopole, Bicon, Log-periodic, Double Rigged Waveguides, etc. Aligned to Level 4: Serves as subject matter expert across multiple RF measurement disciplines; resolves complex and unique issues and improves check-out methods when needed.
• Supporting construction of mechanical ground support equipment needed for unique EMC tests and also simple modification of electronics ground support equipment including custom electrical switches and line impedance stabilization networks. Aligned to Level 4: Uses expert fabrication and assembly expertise to lead and carry out construction and modification activities, providing engineering recommendations where needed.

Qualifications:

Typically requires a High School Diploma with a minimum of 10 years of related experience; or an Associate’s Degree with a minimum of 6 years of related experience; or a Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 3 years of related experience. Related training required.

• Experience in EMC Testing. Ability to independently perform EMC tests, instrument checkouts and calibration runs per Mil-Std 461C/462 and Mil-Std 461G EMC/EMI testing for emissions, susceptibility/immunity, and magnetics. Tests include Radiated Emissions (RE), Radiated Susceptibility (RS), Conducted Emissions (CE), and Conducted Susceptibility (CS) tests. Aligned to Level 4: Performs complex and unique tests as an expert resource with minimal supervision.
• Experience in using the ETS Lindgren Tile! EMC automated software, ability to create and run test profiles. Aligned to Level 4: Acts as expert user; may develop new test approaches and profiles supporting engineering goals.
• Experience using a variety of Spectrum analyzers (Rohde and Schwarz ESU, FSP38, Keysight UXA), Oscilloscopes (Tektronix and Keysight), Signal generators (Keysight), Network Analyzers (Keysight PXA), Power meters (Keysight), Amplifiers (IFI and AR), antennas. Aligned to Level 4: Serves as SME across multiple measurement disciplines; applies advanced judgment to measurement challenges and troubleshooting.

Desired Skills:

• Knowledge in managing physical EMC laboratories on site, including daily upkeep, safety requirements, organization, maintenance, and calibration of over 200 components.
• Knowledge in performing regular system checks of all RF components across labs testing antennas such as Monopole, Bicon, Logperiodic, Double Rigged Waveguides.
• Knowledge in EMC testing including Radiated Emissions, Radiated Susceptibility, Conducted Emissions, and Conducted Susceptibility per MIL-STD requirements.
• Trained in flight hardware handling, electrostatic discharge, flight mate/demate, cleanroom fundamentals, PPE.
• Knowledge in construction/modification of mechanical and electronics GSE.
• Advanced understanding of RF measurement techniques and a wide range of RF instruments.
• Strong knowledge of TILE EMC software.

The nature of this work may require occasional non-standard hours to meet critical project deadlines and support operational requirements.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$91,312 - $114,088

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.